Buy Side/Sell Side

The tourism sales manager on developing a sales strategy, new products and partnerships, and changing industry perceptions.

The director of marketing, distribution and sales on the growth of the business, dealing with a massive amount of cancellations coming through from Chinese tour operator partners, and developing new ways to create “ease in journeys” for customers. 

Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail’s marketing manager, Lynley Twyman, on the reopening of part of the trail following a fatality, collaboration, supporting local businesses, and the importance of influencers.

The GM of sales and marketing on competition, the value of partnerships, and the increasing importance of OTAs.

The director of sales and marketing on the group’s extensive refurbishment programme, the launch of a new boutique brand, and supporting tourism as a career.

The sales manager on Snow Farm’s 30th anniversary, attracting the world’s best cross-country skiers, and future expansion.

The director of sales on the business development of NZ’s largest convention centre, the intensely competitive global business events marketplace, and the opportunities arising from the expansion of new convention centres across the country.

The GM on the challenges of launching in a softening market and getting buyer support for a new, unique product.

Christchurch Attractions’ sales manager, Caryn Stevens on the revival of the city’s visitor economy.

Garden City Helicopters’ group marketing manager on the Christchurch-based operator’s big push into tourism.

The museum’s marketing head on the NZ-China Year of Tourism, government expectations, and the ‘terracotta effect’ on visitation.

The GM on building off-peak inventory, moving up the value chain and telling a “tale of two yields”.

The Brazil-based tour operator on its big push into NZ and the “huge opportunity” it sees here.

Buy Side Sell Side Stray Travel’s NZ & Australian sales manager, Ollie Allum, on integrating Australian-based Loka with Stray Travel.

KiwiRail’s head of tourism and marketing on bringing back the Coastal Pacific service and the opportunities ahead for the scenic rail operator.

The attraction’s GM of sales and marketing on diversification, domestic marketing strategies, and the changing international market.

How the attraction’s development programme has unlocked a move into business events and why a collaborative strategy is key for Northland.

The iconic Kiwi activity operator on where growth is emerging, how the company is targeting its markets, and its first ever night event. 

Ara Roa Villa and Boutique Lodgings’ co-owner, Susanne Olsen, on building a luxury market in Northland, the power of word-of-mouth, and opportunities to grow the business.

Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor talks about how the event – and the resultant crowd – has changed over the years, the economic benefits it brings to the region and the challenges of staging the show in a town suffering growing pains.

Crankworx’s head of business development, Tak Mutu, on nailing the first festival with only seven months lead-time, the winning formula for commercial partnerships and the growing the economic impact of the event in Rotorua.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ GM sales and marketing, Michelle Caldwell, on finding opportunities to grow sales in the Australian market, the benefits of regional and national collaboration and the challenges involved in transitioning to become a year-round tourism business. 

Fresh from AIME, Kiran Nambiar, DQ’s new business development manager and head of the Queenstown Convention Bureau, tells us about forging new MICE partnerships, future growth markets and how capacity issues are being managed.

Haka Tourism Group’s sales manager, Chris Bain, on the company’s new sales strategy, expansion in China and a new product for that market, and how its new hotel assets are performing.

With Chinese New Year about to begin, China Travel Services’ Lisa Li shares her insight into that Asian market, how it is changing and why it is getting much harder to sell New Zealand there.

Hydro Attack’s marketing manager Esther Small on launching a new product in the competitive Queenstown market, the power of digital marketing and developing a suitable sales strategy 

Heritage Hotel’s Dylan Rushbrook on fronting up to hotel price increases, beating the boom-bust cycle and whether regional dispersal is actually working on the ground.

Whale Watch’s Lisa Bond tells us of how the business operated in the aftermath of last year’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, coping with a crippled marina, and the company’s recovery strategy for the summer.

First Light Travel co-founder, Brent Narbey, on establishing an OTA in New Zealand in the early 2000s, future-proofing a travel business and fostering talent within the industry.

Always Vacation’s owner and director of sales and marketing, Wanvisa Chantrasmi, on working with film crews coming to New Zealand, the power of social media and business after Tourism New Zealand exited Thailand in December.

Hemi Coates, owner and director of Mount Maunganui’s Manaaki Adventures, is preparing to launch a rugby tours product into the US and Asian markets. He tells us about the unique opportunity of selling NZ rugby culture to the world.

Former Kirra Australia GM, Tracey Green, on setting up her own travel consultancy and management business, lessons from the event space and why operators should be thinking about the pink dollar.

Serial travel entrepreneur, Jerry Bridge, on setting up his New Zealand-centric venture 18 months ago, his plans to expand into Australia and the best way to tackle the American visitor market.

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Scandinavian travel agent and New Zealand specialist, Australiareiser’s Martin Jespersen, on the challenges around OTAs, his front line NZ marketing efforts, and how to convince visitors to come outside the peak.

General Travel executive director and new Tourism Export Council president, Anna Black, on the needs of the growing Indian market, why group travel is good business and light at the end of the tunnel for the GST on margins debate.

Cardrona Alpine Resort’s head of sales, Mat Woods, on developing the Chinese market, the resort’s $15m investment programme coming to fruition, a new year-round product and tapping into the trend for an alpine experience.